Best tourist places in Chennai

Armenian and Portuguese traders were living in the San Thome area of what is now present-day Chennai before the arrival of the British in 1639. Madras was the shortened name of the fishing village Madraspatnam, where the British East India Company built a fort and factory (trading post) in 1639–40. At that time, the weaving of cotton fabrics was a local industry, and the English invited the weavers and native merchants to settle near the fort. By 1652 the factory of Fort St.George was recognized as a presidency (an administrative unit governed by a president), and between 1668 and 1749 the company expanded its control. About 1801, by which time the last of the local rulers had been shorn of his powers, the English had become masters of southern India, and Madras had become their administrative and commercial capital. The government of Tamil Nadu officially changed the name of the city to Chennai in 1996.

1. Kapaleeshwarar Temple

A visit to the beautiful Kapaleeshwarar Temple presents a fascinating glimpse into the life of a working Hindu temple. Admire the striking Dravidian architecture and a sacred tank. Watch as worshippers lay offerings to the deities and be part of a colorful Hindu celebration. Kapaleeshwarar Temple honors the Hindu god Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. The temple dates back to the 16th century and is the second edition. The original, built around 600 A.D., was demolished by Portuguese colonists.

Major highlights of the temple are the two towering and elaborately decorated gopuram (gateway entrances). The almost 131-foot-tall (40-meter) east gopuram is the most striking and a fine display of Dravidian architecture. Gaze up to see carvings of allegorical figures, gods and mythological creatures. See more detailed artwork on the smaller west gopuram. It faces a sacred lake, where pilgrims throw offerings to a multitude of fish.

Step inside the temple to feel a sense of calm. Observe respectfully as devotees ask for blessings at the various shrines. Look for bronze statuettes of the Nayanars, a group of 63 poet saints devoted to Shiva. Spot sculptures of revered Hindu gods such as Ganesh, Karpagambal, Muruga and Shiva. Visit on a Friday to see the Goddess Karpagambal decorated with garlands of gold coins during a ritual.

2. Government Museum

The Government Museum of Chennai is one of the oldest and largest in South Asia. Established in 1851, the museum is constructed over 16 acres of land. Also known as Egmore Museum, it is located in the heart of the Chennai city easily accessible by train and bus. The Museum is located in the pantheon complex which also houses the National Art Gallery, a venue for theater performances, and other departments. 

The museum may not be in its best form having withstood hundreds of years, but nevertheless has an outstanding collection of antiquities and artifacts.Museum houses various artifacts among which the archaeological, numismatic collections and Roman antiquities are in maximum quantity. Museum Complex has nearly 6 buildings and 46 galleries. Museum also has a theatre which can easily accommodate 600 people. Museum which is one of the Manuscript Conservation Center protects nearly 19,007 manuscripts. The Connemara Public Library was also added to the complex in late 19th century. Check out the museum buildings for its architecture, and take a walk around the campus to enjoy some greenery. Some of the impressive displays here are the rare paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Hindu sculptures, and Numismatic gallery. 

3.Marine Beach

The second largest beach in the world Marina Beach extends up to 13km. Marina Beach is on of the major tourist attractions in Chennai. Marina Beach is a place on earth with heavenly beauty. Governor Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff further enhanced the natural beauty of the Marina Beach in early 1880's. The view on the beach at sunset and sunrise is absolutely delightful. In the evenings the place becomes lively with the children playing at the golden sand and hawkers selling snacks, balloons, toys etc.

4.Arignar Anna zoological Park Vandalur

Arignar Anna Zoological Park of Chennai was first established in 1855. But it was shifted to the southern metropolitan area called Vandalur reserved forests in the year 1979. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai was officially opened to public in 1985. The Chennai Arignar Anna Zoological Park covers 510 hectares of land and is one of the biggest in south-east Asia.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park of Chennai shelters more than 170 species of animals that wander about independently in a man-made island enclosure. The invisible walls and imitated natural ambiance of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park is almost impalpable to the animal species residing in the park. The dry deciduous forests surrounding the Vandalur region is the ideal breeding ground for these animals. 

5.connemara public library

Faded posters on doors, announcing ‘Way to the old building’, guide the confused wanderer from the new library to the old Connemara Public Library. Follow the directions, and you will arrive at a bright red building that opens into a semi-circular hall. If you crane your neck, you get an eyeful of intricate designs on the roof. A staffer sits at a table, collecting reference receipts. On regular days, this is the only part of the old building accessible to outsiders. 

Today, however, the old building will throw open its doors to the public to celebrate World Book Day. The three-day programme will let people explore the dark nooks and crannies of the centuries-old structure which was formally opened on December 5, 1896. While the new building smells of fresh paint and buzzes with the constant hum of the air-conditioner, only interrupted by the sound of turning pages or scraping chairs, the old building smells of books and aged wood.

“If you look at the junction of pillars and the ceiling, you will see that every pillar has carvings of animals. Also, the library has 140 wooden chairs from that era that have animals carved on the armrest,” says a former employee of the library.

6. Pulicat Lake

Pulicat Lake or also esteemed as Pulicat Bird Sanctuary is one of the revered tourist sites located at the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on the Barricade Island of Sriharikota. Coddled with ravishing nature and adorned with serene ambiance, Pulicat Lake covers a sprawling area of 759 sq km. Moreover, the lake is spread across Tiruvallur District, Nellore Tada, Sullurpeta, Doravari Satram, Vakadu, and Chittamuru Mandal, and thus, is the second largest lagoon in India. For bird watchers and ornithologist, the place is a perfect place to catch the sights of fascinating birds including the migratory ones, and thus, is also considered as a renowned bird sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Birds like Storks, Kingfishers, and Flamingos can be captured at Pulicat Lake. Moreover, the coastal climate of this place makes it easy and comfortable for tourists to spend long hours relishing and adoring the natural beauty of Pulicat Lake. Giving an impressive touch to the surrounding of the lake are the colonial buildings from the Dutch Era that proffers a majestic sight to behold. Along with plenty of sightseeing to perform, the lake also gives tourists a lifetime opportunity in Tamil Nadu to indulge in water activities. Therefore, pamper yourself with an inevitable vacation at Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu. While enjoying your time at the lake, just make sure to follow instructions of the lake for your own safety.

7.Semmonzhi poonga

Semmozhi Poonga is a botanical garden in Chennai set up by the horticulture department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The garden was opened on 24 November 2010 by then chief Minister Dr.M. Karunanidhi and is the first botanical garden in the city. The garden is located in the Cathedral Road–Anna Salai junction, opposite the American Consulate, on the erstwhile Drive-in Woodlands Hotel. Encompassing an area of 20 acres, it was built at a cost of 80 million. More than 500 species of plants are being grown in the area, in addition to the 80 trees that was already in existence during the development of the park, some of them being more than 100 years old. The garden houses some of the popular exotic flora and rare plant species, medicinal and aromatic herbs. Many of the exotic plants are imported from countries like China and Thailand, including a plethora of bonsai varieties of ficus microcarpa and ficus ginseng.

8. Rippon Building

The Rippon Building in Chennai is one of the most elegant examples of British architecture and has still preserved its vintage look. The building also has been a witness to a number of historical events of the past. No wonder, the Rippon Building in Chennai is one of its most interesting historical monuments. 

The Municipal Corporation of Chennai which was then called Madras settled in this building from the year 1913. The foundation stone of this building was laid in the year 1909. It covers an area of 9628 square meters which was built at an approximate cost of around 8 lakhs. 

The high ceilings of the Rippon Building are supported by Teak wood joists and the floors which have Cuddapah flooring is now decorated by marble flooring. The special attraction of this building is West Minister Quarter Chiming Clock which quite an age old watch belonging to the year 1913 

The Rippon Building Chennai is one of the most elegant buildings in the city and reminds the tourists of the colonial past of India. The office of Madras Corporation or the Chennai Corporation, this structure was built in 1913 and is a part of a large municipal complex. The complex includes parks and gardens, the Nehru Stadium, Victoria Public Hall and Moore Market. 

9. Victoria Public Hall

Victoria building is one of the historical buildings in Chennai constructed by the British Government. The name Victoria was named after the Empress of British India. This building was constructed to remember the Golden jubilee of the Empress Victoria. Victoria Public Hall is also called as The Town Hall which was used as the Cinema theater and also public assembly room in the late 19th and in the early 20th century. Victoria Public Hall is presently used as the South Indian Athletic Association Club. In the year 1882, the Town hall was decided to be constructed. The foundation stone was laid by the King of Vijayanagar named Aanandha Ghajapati Rao. During this foundation, there were many kings namely the king of Mysore, King of Travancore, King of Pudhukottai and the High court judge of those days. The architecture of the Victoria Hall was designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm. The grand opening of the hall was held on 1880. The Town hall soon became the place to held meetings and to conduct social meetings. Great people like Swami Vivekanandha and Mahatma Gandhi has visited the Public Hall. Many plays were held by Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar and Sankaradoss Swamigal.

10.Valluvar Kottam

It was built by M. Karunanidhi, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, dating back to 1975 – 1976. It stands on the place of a lake which was then used as a dumping ground for the garbage of the entire city. Later on, however, the land was reformed and was used to build the Valluvar Kottam. The construction of Valluvar Kottam was the finest way to pay homage to this great and renowned personality as well his tremendous collection of magnificent works. This is one of the significant sites located in Chennai and is visited by a large number of visitors, every year, from all over the world. In the cultural life of the Tamils, saint Thiruvalluvar has great significance. 

The architectural pattern of the Valluvar Kottam is like a temple chariot (39 m high), inside which there is a huge stone effigy of the saint Thiruvalluvar. The architect under whose guidance the Valluvar Kottam was built is a South Indian architect, V. Ganapati Sthapati, who is also the architect of the statue of saint Thiruvalluvar, sited at Kanyakumari. The main auditorium of the Valluvar Kottam can provide accommodation to more than 4,000 people at one time and stands as a contemporary cenotaph to the great and distinguished poet and saint, who symbolizes the splendid culture of the Tamils. 

A very unique feature of the Valluvar Kottam is that it stands baseless, without the support of any pillar. The 1330 verses of the epic Thirukkural are engraved on the granite columns in the facade hall corridors, enclosing the vast auditorium of the Valluvar Kottam. In the construction of this, about 3000 blocks of stone were used. The lion on the main gateway of the Kottam is very remarkable which decorated with attractive designs. The contribution of saint Thiruvalluvar in the Tamil Literature is very notable and admiring, visible through the affection returned to him by his fans through construction of this remarkable monument.